Securing apparatus for a hand protective device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a securing apparatus and method for securing a hand protective device about the wrist of the wearer. The apparatus provides a mechanism that allows a wearer to single-handedly secure a glove or hand protective device on their other hand, even when the wearer has taped hands for contact sports. The invention allows for the glove or hand protective device to be secured in a manner that eliminates gaps or twisting about the wearer&#39;s wrist.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/224,768, entitled “SECURING APPARATUS FOR A HAND PROTECTIVE DEVICE”filed Jul. 10, 2009, contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Securing or tightening a glove or hand protective device onto one wristwith the other hand usually leads to a loose fitting glove or handprotective device. This problem is exacerbated when a person has theirhands taped for a competition, and/or they are wearing a glove or handprotective device on the hand they are using to secure it to the otherhand. The glove or hand protective device will not allow the wearer'staped hands to be inserted into the glove. And the glove or handprotective device being secured or tightened twists or gaps during thisprocess. A poorly fitting or loose glove or hand protective device is apotential hazard for activities relying upon the glove or handprotective device to protect and support the hand and wrist of thewearer.

This problem becomes even greater when the gloves or hand protectivedevices are those that are used in contact sports, fighting, boxing, ormartial arts. In these sports, it is common to find another personrequiring to secure the glove or hand protective device to the wearer'shand and wrist over the taped hand. Due to the possibility for the gloveor protective device to come off during use, the securing device isusually wrapped with several layers of athletic tape.

Numerous types of sporting gloves and hand protective devices exist.Almost all of them have the common features of a finger restrainingelement, a covering for the back of the hand, a place to receive thethumb, and a securing device. Additionally, these gloves or handprotective devices have an opening or area to receive the hand of thewearer. Because the sporting gloves unsuccessfully attempt to provide agood fit to the wearer, sliding the glove on when the wearer's hands aretaped is nearly impossible for a proper fitting glove or hand protectivedevice.

To address the fit issue, a large number of the existing gloves or handprotective devices have a single strap or strap-like device to securethe glove. Usually, the single strap is used to secure the glove or handprotective device to the hand and/or wrist of the wearer. In an effortto minimize twisting actions, some gloves or hand protective devicesutilize a cinch type of strap to reverse the direction of movement ofthe glove or hand protective device. Regardless of the type of strap,none of the gloves or hand protective devices provides the ability tosecure it to the hand or wrist of the wearer without creating a gap orinducing a twisting motion.

A need exists for glove or hand protective device having a securingsystem and a method that efficiently allows singled handed securing of aglove or hand protective device on the hand or wrist of a wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system and method for securing a contact sportsglove or hand protective device to a wearer's wrist.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an improved contact sportsglove having a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to eachother at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening toreceive a hand at a wrist-edge. A flap is defined by the palm-side paneland the opening. The flap carries a first portion of a two-part closuredevice that is positioned near the wrist-edge. A strap carrying a secondportion of the two-part closure device is included. The strap is securedto the glove. A restraining device is secured to the glove, therestraining device being capable of contacting and covering the strapwhen the strap is attached to the flap.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an improved contact sportsglove having a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to eachother at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening toreceive a hand at a wrist-edge. A finger restraint is positioned on afront-side panel and opposite of the wrist-edge. A thumb receiver ispositioned near the thumb-edge. A flap is defined by the palm-side paneland the opening. The flap carries a first portion of a hook and loopclosure device, wherein the first portion of the closure device ispositioned near said wrist edge. A strap carrying a second portion ofthe closure device is included. There is a first end and a second end ofthe strap. The first end is secured to the glove and the second endcarries the second portion of the closure device. The strap is elastic.A restraining device is secured to the glove, the restraining devicebeing capable of tightly covering the strap when the restraining deviceis secured into a closed position.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an improved handprotective device having a front-side panel and a back-side panelsecured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge. The front-sidepanel has a finger restraint positioned near a finger-edge and oppositeof a wrist-edge. A flap is secured to the thumb-edge. The flap carries afirst portion of a two-part closure device, wherein the two-part closuredevice is positioned near the wrist-edge. A strap having a first endsecured to the hand protective device and a second end carrying a secondportion of the closure device is included. The first end of the strap issecured to the hand protective device at an edge opposite of the flap. Arestraining device is secured to the hand protective device and iscapable of contacting and covering the strap when the strap is attachedto the flap.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method for securinga contact sports glove. The inventive method comprises the steps of:

a. inserting a first hand into the contact sports glove;

b. positioning a flap on a wrist of a first hand using a second hand,the flap being defined by a palm-side panel, the palm-side panel issecured to an edge of the contact sports glove;

c. grasping a strap using the second hand, the strap having a first endsecured to an edge of the contact sports glove and a free second end;

d. attaching the second end of the strap to the flap, the attaching stepusing a two-part closure device, wherein a first portion of the two-partclosure device is carried by the flap and a second portion is carried bythe strap at the second end;

e. grasping a restraining device using the second hand, the restrainingdevice connected to either of the edges;

f. wrapping the restraining device around the wrist, thereby contactingthe strap with the restraining device; and

g. securing the restraining device on the contact sports glove along anedge near the wrist.

Numerous objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is readin conjunction with the drawings which illustrate such embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sport glove.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a sport glove.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a sport glove in the process of beingsecured.

FIG. 4 depicts a back view of a sport glove.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment for the flap

FIG. 6A depicts a front view of a sport glove with the securing devicebeing employed on a hand.

FIG. 6B depicts a view of a sport glove with the securing device beingsecured to a closure device.

FIG. 6C depicts a detail view of a sport glove with the securing devicebeing secured to a closure device.

FIG. 7A depicts a front view of a sport glove with the restraint devicebeing employed on a hand.

FIG. 7B depicts a side view of a sport glove with the restraint devicebeing employed on a hand.

FIG. 7C depicts a back view of a sport glove with the restraint devicebeing employed on a hand.

FIG. 8A depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of a sportglove.

FIG. 8B depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of a sportglove with the securing device locked into place.

FIG. 9A depicts a front view of a hand protective device.

FIG. 9B depicts a thumb side view of a hand protective device.

FIG. 9C depicts a outer side view of a hand protective device.

FIG. 9D depicts a front view of a hand protective device with thesecuring device locked into place.

FIG. 9E depicts a front view of a hand protective device with therestraint device covering the securing device.

FIG. 9F depicts a back view of a hand protective device with therestraint device covering the securing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, the inventive securing device is illustratedand generally designated by the numeral 10. As shown by the drawings andunderstood by those skilled in the art, securing device 10 andcomponents thereof are designed to be associated with sports glove 12 orhand protective device 14.

Glove 12 generally includes palm-side panel 16, front-side panel 17,back-side panel 18, thumb-edge 20, outer-edge 22, wrist-edge 24,finger-edge 25, palm pad restraint 26, finger restraint 28, and thumbreceiver 30. Front-side panel 17 and back-side panel 18 are securedtogether along all edges and often have some padding securedtherebetween. Palm-side panel 16 is positioned in front of front-sidepanel 17 and generally secured to back-side panel 18 at thumb-edge 20and outer-edge 22. The preferred secured edges are made by stitching thecomponents together; however, other methods for joining glove materialtogether known to those skilled in the art will perform satisfactorily.An embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, shows a variation using palm-sidepanel 16 to surround an open palm area of hand 19. An embodimentdepicted in FIG. 2 shows palm-side panel 16 covering more of palm areaof hand 19.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, opening 32 is defined by gap 34 positionedbetween palm-side panel 16 and front-side panel 17 from outer-edge 22along wrist-edge 24. In this embodiment, opening 32 extends from point46 of outer-edge 22 and continues along wrist-edge 24. Opening 32 iscapable of receiving the hand of the wearer, thereby providing greateraccessibility for the wearer's hands.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 depict palm-panel side 16 with flap 42 definedtherefrom. Flap 42 is positioned along opening 32 near wrist-edge 24. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flap 42 of glove 12 is a portion of palm-sidepanel 16. As shown in FIG. 5, flap 42 of glove 12 corresponds to tab 43,a protrusion on palm-side panel 16.

In one preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-8B, glove 12 includessecuring device 10. Securing device 10 includes strap 38, restrainingdevice 40, flap 42, and two-part closure device 44. Strap element 38 ofsecuring device 10 has first edge 39 that is secured to glove 12 ateither outer-edge 22 or thumb-edge 20. Preferably, strap 38 is securedon the same edge where opening 32 and palm-side panel 16 join at point46. Strap element 38 carries a first portion of two-part closure device44 at second end 41. Flap 42 carries the second portion of two-partclosure device 44. Two-part closure device 44 provides for removableattachment of strap 38 to flap 42.

Strap 38 of securing device 10 may be manufactured out of an elastic orinelastic material. When strap 38 is elastic, it preferably has astretching capacity between about 25% to about 50% of its un-stretchedlength. Depending upon the desired configuration of glove 12, an elasticembodiment of strap 38 will generally have an un-stretched length ofabout 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) to about 3 inches (8 centimeters). Whenstrap 38 is substantially inelastic, it generally has a length betweenabout 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) to about 4 inches (10 centimeters).

Restraining device 40 is secured to glove 12 along thumb-edge 20 orouter-edge 22. Preferably, restraining device 40 is capable of wrappingaround glove 12 near wrist-edge 24 to cover and protect strap 38 afterstrap 38 is attached flap 42.

The length of restraining device 40 is a design choice. In oneembodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-7C, restraining device 40 covers strap38, wraps around glove 12, secures itself to glove 12 on back-side panel18 and wraps around again to be secured to itself on back-side panel 18of glove 12. In this embodiment, restraining device 40 is capable ofbeing wrapped around both thumb-edge 20 and outer edge 22 at least once.In another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 8A and 8B, restrainingdevice 40 covers only strap 38 and is secured to back-side panel 18after wrapping around either thumb-edge 20 or outer-edge 22. Either ofthe embodiments for restraining device 40 are combinable with anyembodiment of glove 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-8B, palm pad restraint 26 and fingerrestraint 28 are generally integrated with palm-side panel 16, orattached to front-side panel 17, thumb-edge 20, outer-edge 22, or acombination thereof. Additionally, finger restraint 28 is generallypositioned on glove 12 near finger-edge 25, which is positioned oppositefrom wrist-edge 24. Palm-pad restraint 26 is generally positioned closerto wrist-edge 24. Palm pad restraint 26 and finger restraint 28 are forreceiving the palm pad and fingers of the wearer.

Strap 38 and flap 42 are designed to be attached to each other. Two-partclosure device 44 is capable of attaching securing strap 38 to flap 42.In this embodiment, one-half of two-part closure device 44 is attachedto strap 38, and one-half of two-part closure device 44 is attached toflap 42.

Two-part closure device 44 is any two-part closure device allowing twoelements to be attached. Two-part closure device 44 may be selected fromthe group consisting of hook and loop, buttons, snaps, hooks, laces, andcombinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment, two-part closuredevice 44 is a hook and loop closure device.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 8A and 8B, opening 33extends from wrist-edge 24 and nearly parallels outer-edge 22. In thisembodiment, opening 33 of glove 12 allows for a large thumb receiver 30to be positioned in palm-side panel 16 near flap 42. As before, opening33 provides greater accessibility and ease of use for the wearer'shands.

In operation, as depicted in FIGS. 6A-7C, a person inserts hand 19 intoopening 32 and positions their fingers and thumb in finger restraints 28and thumb receiver 30. The person's hand 19 may be taped while beinserted into opening 32. In this embodiment, strap 38 is designed to beattached to flap 42 using two-part closure device 44, thereby snugglypositioning wrist-edge 24 of glove 12 to the wrist of the wearer.Preferably, this action removes gaps along wrist-edge 24 whileeliminating twisting of glove 12 about the wrist. Once strap 38 isattached, restraining device 40 is wrapped around the wrist of thewearer in a direction that will contact and tightly cover strap 38,thereby preventing any inadvertent disconnection between strap 38 andflap 42. The number of wraps that restraining device 40 is able toperform is based upon its selected length. Restraining device 40 issecured to the back of glove 12 and/or to itself along wrist-edge 24using a similar two-part closure device 44. In the preferredembodiments, safety of the wearer dictates that restraining device notuse any metal or hard plastic elements to assist in securing restrainingdevice 40.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-F, hand protective device 14 is designed toprotect the fingers and back of the hand. Hand protective device 14generally includes front-side panel 17, back-side panel 18, thumb-edge20, outer-edge 22, wrist-edge 24, palm pad restraint 26, and fingerrestraint 28. Hand protective device 14 is similarly configured to glove12 except it does not have palm-side panel 16 and opening 32. Handprotective device 14 optionally carries thumb protector 36 secured alongthumb-edge 20. Similar to glove 12, hand protective device 14 hasfront-side panel 17 and back-side panel 18 secured together along alledges with some padding secured therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-9F, this embodiment of hand protective device 14utilizes thumb protector 36. In this embodiment, thumb protector 36defines flap 42, which is positioned near wrist-edge 24. Thumb protector36 is an optional element. In an embodiment not depicted in the FIGS.where thumb protector 36 is not utilized, flap 42 is a tab that issecured to either thumb-edge 20 or outer-edge 22 to provide theconnectivity point for first edge 39 of strap 38.

In this embodiment, thumb protector 36 is secured to hand protectivedevice 14 along thumb-edge 20. Thumb protector 36 may be externallypadded, wherein the external portion 50 of thumb protector 36 ispositioned next to back-side panel 18.

In this embodiment, strap 38 of securing device 10 is also positionedopposite of flap 42. Securing device 10, which includes strap 38, flap42, two-part closure devices 44 and restraining device 40, all functionidentically on hand protective device 14 as described for glove 12above.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-7C, during operation of securing device 10 thewearer inserts their fingers into finger restraints 28, which positionsthe pads of their palm under palm pad restraint 26. In this embodiment,strap 38 attaches to flap 42 using two-part closure device 44, therebysnuggly positioning wrist-edge 24 of glove 12 to the wrist of thewearer. To attach strap 38 to flap 42, the wearer uses their fingers andthumb from opposing hand 48 to simultaneously attach strap 38 to flap 42with two-part closure device 44. The wearer performs this action bygrasping flap 42 and strap 38, and pulling both flap 42 and strap 38until flap 42 is positioned under strap 38. Alternatively, the weareruses their forefinger and thumb of opposing hand 48 to simultaneouslyattach strap 38 to flap 42 with two-part closure device 44. The wearerperforms this action by grasping flap 42 and strap 38, and pulling bothflap 42 under strap 38. Preferably, this action also removes gaps alongwrist-edge 24.

During operation of glove 12, once strap 38 is attached, restrainingdevice 40 is wrapped around the wrist of the wearer in a direction thatit will contact and tightly cover strap 38, thereby preventing anyinadvertent separation between strap 38 and flap 42. The number of wrapsthat restraining device 40 is able to do is based upon its length.Restraining device 40 is secured to the back of hand protective device14 and/or to itself along wrist-edge 24.

Embodiments

Several different embodiments are shown in FIG. 1-9F as representativeexamples of the inventive securing device 10. FIGS. 1, 8A and 8B depictan example of an open palm, open thumb version where the wearer's thumbis positioned near thumb-edge 20 in the open palm area. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 1, 8A and 8B, palm-side panel 16 surroundsthe palm of the wearer, thereby creating an open palm area and an openthumb area. Securing device 10 is positioned near wrist-edge 24.

FIGS. 2-7C depict and example of a different version of a mesh coveredpalm and an open thumb version. In this embodiment, the wearer's thumbis positioned within thumb receiver 30, thereby creating an open thumbarea. In one variation of this embodiment the mesh is removed to createan open palm, open thumb embodiment. In another variation of thisembodiment, thumb receiver 30 is a sleeve creating an enclosed thumbarea. Some variations of this embodiment include an open palm, openthumb embodiment; an open palm, enclosed thumb embodiment; an enclosedpalm, open thumb embodiment; and an enclosed palm, enclosed thumbembodiment. In all of the variations of this embodiment, securing device10 is positioned near wrist-edge 24.

FIGS. 9A-9F depict an open palm, protected thumb embodiment. In thisembodiment, palm-side panel is not utilized and a protected thumbelement is attached to provide additional protection to the wearer'sthumb. One variation of this approach does not utilize thumb protector36 and only provides for flap 42. In both variations of this embodiment,securing device 10 is positioned near wrist-edge 24.

Other embodiments of the current invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a consideration of this specification orpractice of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoingspecification is considered merely exemplary of the current inventionwith the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.

1. An improved contact sports glove comprising: a palm-side panel and aback-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge,thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at a wrist-edge; a flapdefined by said palm-side panel and said opening, said flap carrying afirst portion of a two-part closure device that is positioned near saidwrist-edge; a strap secured to said glove at an edge opposite of saidflap, said strap carrying a second portion of said two-part closuredevice, said strap removably attachable to said flap when said firstportion of said two-part closure has been joined to said second portionof said two-part closure, the configuration of said flap and said straprequires movement of said flap under said strap to join said first andsecond portions of said two-part closure device; and a restrainingdevice secured to said glove, said restraining device having a lengthsufficient to wrap around said glove thereby covering said strap whensaid strap is attached to said flap.
 2. The improved contact sportsglove of claim 1, wherein said strap has elasticity.
 3. The improvedcontact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap has elasticity andis capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50% of itsun-stretched length.
 4. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1,wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about 1.5 inches(4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
 5. The improvedcontact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap is substantiallyinelastic and has a length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) andabout 4 inches (10 centimeters).
 6. The improved contact sports glove ofclaim 1, wherein said two-part closure device is a hook and loop closuredevice.
 7. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein saidrestraining device is capable of being secured to itself.
 8. Theimproved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said restrainingdevice is attached to said glove near said outer-edge.
 9. The improvedcontact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said restraining device isattached to said glove near said thumb-edge.
 10. The improved contactsports glove of claim 1, wherein said opening extends from saidwrist-edge to a point along said outer-edge, said point positioned sothat a portion of said palm-side panel remains secured to said outeredge.
 11. An improved contact sports glove comprising: a palm-side paneland a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and anouter-edge, thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at awrist-edge; a finger restraint positioned on a front-side panel andopposite of said wrist-edge; a thumb receiver positioned near saidthumb-edge; a flap defined by said palm-side panel and said opening,said flap carrying a first portion of a hook and loop closure device,wherein said first portion of said closure device is positioned nearsaid wrist-edge; a strap carrying a second portion of said closuredevice, said strap is elastic; a first end and a second end of saidstrap, said first end is secured to said glove at an edge opposite ofsaid flap, and said second end carrying said second portion of saidclosure device, said strap has sufficient elasticity to permit removableattachment of said strap to said flap when said first portion of saidtwo-part closure has been joined to said second portion of said two-partclosure, the configuration of said flap and said strap when attached toone another precludes movement of said flap; and a restraining devicesecured to said glove, said restraining device having a lengthsufficient to wrap around said glove thereby tightly covering said strapwhen said restraining device is secured into a closed position.
 12. Theimproved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said strap haselasticity and is capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50%of its un-stretched length.
 13. The improved contact sports glove ofclaim 11, wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
 14. Theimproved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said restrainingdevice is capable of being secured to itself.
 15. The improved contactsports glove of claim 11, wherein said restraining device is secured tosaid glove near said outer-edge.
 16. The improved contact sports gloveof claim 11, wherein said restraining device is secured to said glovenear said thumb-edge.
 17. An improved hand protective device for contactsports comprising: a front-side panel and a back-side panel secured toeach other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, said front-side panelhaving a finger restraint positioned near a finger-edge and opposite ofa wrist-edge; a flap secured to said thumb-edge, said flap carrying afirst portion of a two-part closure device, wherein said two-partclosure device is positioned near said wrist-edge; a strap having afirst end secured to said hand protective device and a second endcarrying a second portion of said two-part closure device, said firstend of said strap is secured to said hand protective device at an edgeopposite of said flap, said strap removably attachable to said flap whensaid first portion of said two-part closure has been joined to saidsecond portion of said two-part closure, the configuration of said flapand said strap when attached to one another precludes movement of saidflap; and a restraining device secured to said hand protective device,said restraining device having a length sufficient to wrap around saidglove thereby capable of contacting and covering said strap when saidstrap is attached to said flap.
 18. The improved hand protective deviceof claim 17, further comprising a thumb protector secured to saidthumb-edge.
 19. The improved hand protective device of claim 18, whereinsaid thumb protector is integrated with said flap.
 20. The improved handprotective device of claim 17, wherein said strap has elasticity. 21.The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap haselasticity and is capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50%of its un-stretched length.
 22. The improved hand protective device ofclaim 17, wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
 23. Theimproved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap issubstantially inelastic and has a length between about 1.5 inches (4centimeters) and about 4 inches (10 centimeters).
 24. The improved handprotective device of claim 17, wherein said closure device is a hook andloop closure device.
 25. The improved hand protective device of claim17, wherein said restraining device is capable of being secured toitself while covering said strap.
 26. The improved hand protectivedevice of claim 17, wherein said restraining device is secured to saidhand protective device near said outer-edge.
 27. The improved handprotective device of claim 17, wherein said restraining device issecured to said hand protective device near said thumb-edge.
 28. Theimproved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said restrainingdevice is sufficiently long-enough to wrap around said hand protectivedevice at least once.
 29. A method of securing a contact sports glove toa hand comprising the steps of: inserting a first hand into said contactsports glove; positioning a flap on a wrist of a first hand using asecond hand, said flap being defined by a palm-side panel, wherein saidpalm-side panel is secured to an edge of said contact sports glove;grasping a strap using said second hand, said strap having a first endand a free second end, said first end secured to an edge of said contactsports glove opposite of said flap wherein said flap carries a firstportion of a two-part closure device and said strap carries a secondportion of a two-part closure device; attaching said second end of saidstrap to said flap by applying a force to said strap thereby moving saidflap and said strap towards one another until said flap is under saidstrap; joining said first portion of said two-part closure to saidsecond portion of said two-part closure thereby precluding movement ofsaid flap; grasping a restraining device using said second hand, saidrestraining device secured to either of said edges; wrapping saidrestraining device around said wrist, thereby contacting said strap withsaid restraining device; and securing said restraining device on saidcontact sports glove along an edge near said wrist.
 30. The improvedcontact sports glove of claim 1, wherein the configuration of said flapand said strap requires movement of said strap and said flap towards oneanother to join said first and second portions of said two-part closuredevice.
 31. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein theconfiguration of said flap and said strap requires movement of saidstrap and said flap towards one another to join said first and secondportions of said two-part closure device.
 32. The improved contactsports glove of claim 17, wherein the configuration of said flap andsaid strap requires movement of said strap and said flap towards oneanother to join said first and second portions of said two-part closuredevice.